Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Round 34, 17/05/26
OGC Nice were held by FC Metz (0-0) on the final day of the Ligue 1 season and will now face a relegation play-off against AS Saint-Étienne.
The Match
There was a strange juxtaposition of celebration and absolute tension at the Allianz Riviera. Chants of “Get your areses into gear” were contrasted with a large tifo in celebration of retiring club captain Dante. It was a special night for the Brazilian but one of significant consequence for the club that he led out at the Allianz Riviera, he hoped. for the final time. Participation in a relegation play-off would see him return.
That looked likely at half-time. AJ Auxerre improbably took the lead in Lille and Le Havre AC did the same in Lorient. Even a win wouldn’t lift them out of the relegation play-off, not that they looked close to scoring. The best chances, albeit half-chances, fell to Metz. Yehvann Diouf was there to make the necessary saves.
The boos from the home fans at half-time were predictable. The club’s main ultra group, the Populaire Sud, moved from their usual position in the second tier to be closer to the pitch. You didn’t have to be a genius to guess their intentions should Nice still be in 16th place come the full-time whistle.
Le Gym, despite their predicament, didn’t ever really push, Mohamed-Ali Cho the only one coming close. As the full-time whistle rang, Le Havre and Auxerre had secured their safety, Nice were consigned to playing in the relegation play-off. The home fans stormed the pitch in what were ugly scenes. They still have a chance of survival when they come up against AS Saint-Étienne in the relegation play-off.
Nice player ratings
Yehvann Diouf – 6
The only player that comes out of this match with any credit. His saves in the first-half at least provided a platform from which Nice could go on and win the match. It is not his fault that his outfield players didn’t do anything to get that win.
Dante – 5
Kojo Peprah Oppong – 5
Antoine Mendy – 5
Ali Abdi – 4
Morgan Sanson – 4
Charles Vanhoutte – 3
Replaced by Hicham Boudaoui (4) at half-time.
Jonathan Clauss – 3
Sofiane Diop – 2
He was roundly booed when he made way and understandably so. He had the best two chances of the first half for Nice. He should have done better with the second. Like all of the decisions taken by Le Gym’s attackers, his were questionable.
Elye Wahi – 2
Hardly involved at all due to poor service so perhaps you can’t be surprised that, when the ball does come to him, he looks a little rusty. But his touch was off all night, his decisions misguided.
Kail Boudache – 3
Replaced by Mohamed-Ali Cho (4) at half-time.
Metz selected player ratings
Gauthier Hein – 6
It wasn’t his best match of the season, but the Metz captain is so so key to this side and will be if they are to return to Ligue 1 at the first time of asking. He has an understanding of space and a vision of the game that has allowed Les Grenats to exist in some of the matches from an attacking sense.
Believe Munongo – 6
GFFN | Luke Entwistle – reporting from Nice
